Best Bookstores in Raleigh 

What are the best bookshops in Raleigh, NC? Here are ten of the best bookstores in Raleigh to get your next favorite read! 

Raleigh is home to many great bookstores known for bringing the community together and offering a place of peace for avid readers and people who have just discovered the joy of reading alike. Unlike a public library, bookstores are great for readers who want to start a collection of their favorite reads. 

Studies have shown that reading regularly can slow mental decline and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. Reading is good for you, and finding a local bookstore with your favorite genres can lead to many health benefits while also making you happy. 

Some bookstores in Raleigh even offer a full menu of coffee drinks, beers, wines, and food, which makes for an intriguing combination with your favorite book. Offering local events and endless cozy vibes, there are plenty of bookstores, hidden gems, and small businesses if you live in Raleigh to check out that are bound to make your day better. 

Check out these best bookstores in Raleigh 

1. Quail Ridge Books 

Location: 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609

Hours: 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday 

Quail Ridge Books is one of the best bookstores in Raleigh and is located in the North Hills shopping center. A great summer date idea, this independent bookstore is locally owned and is best known for its quality service and great selection of books for everyone. 

Founded in 1984 by Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books has the mission to promote literacy and encourage the enjoyment of reading in the community. Offering hundreds of events for writers and musicians annually, this local bookstore offers a wider selection of books and music than chain stores. 

This bookstore is great for readers of all ages and a great spot to buy gifts, especially around the holidays, since they offer free gift wrapping. Considered a Raleigh favorite, this indie bookstore is award-winning and worth visiting if you live in one of the up-and-coming Raleigh neighborhoods. 

2. So & So Books 

Location: 719 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604 

Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and 1 PM To 5 PM Sunday 

So and So Books is a small independent bookstore in Raleigh that is best known for its wide variety of book selections, amazing staff, and overall good energy throughout the store. 

Offering books of all genres, a small selection of vinyl, and even some jigsaw puzzles, So and So Books has something for everyone in the store. This bookstore even offers book requests, so if the store does not have something in stock, you can request an author and title, and the store will get it ordered with a two to three-day turnaround on most orders. 

Books can be bought in-store or online, and gift cards are available on the website, making for the perfect gift idea. 

3. Reader's Corner Inc 

Location: 3201 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27604 

Hours: 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday, and 12 PM to 6 PM Sunday 

Reader's Corner in Raleigh is a small used bookstore that offers a great selection of books and great service. Recognized for its green awning and location near one of the best colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina State University, this bookstore is a frequented destination for college students and avid readers. 

Considered a book lover's dream, books of all genres, comic books, and music are available. As one of the oldest surviving used bookstores in Raleigh, visitors can buy pre-owned books or sell used or rare books and vinyl for cash since Reader's Corner is also a book buyer. 

4. Blackbird Books and Coffee 

Location: 323 Blake St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, 9 AM to 7 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and 10 AM to 3 PM Sunday 

Blackbird Books and Coffee is a cute and small independent bookstore in Downtown Raleigh that primarily sells adult fiction but also has a little something for everyone. 

Providing a great small shop vibe, this is a nice place to hang out on weekends or after work. Offering a full coffee and espresso drink menu and a curated tea selection, visitors love coming here to enjoy a hot beverage while starting a new read. 

Featuring events every month, from poetry readings to silent book club meetings, there is always something new and exciting happening at this local bookstore. Plus, if you visit on Wednesdays from 4 PM to 7 PM with something to work on, from crochet to an art project, you can get a discount on a drink from the coffee bar. 

5. Nice Price Books and Records 

Location: 3106 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607

Hours: 12 PM to 7 PM daily 

Nice Price Books and Records is one of the best small bookstores in Raleigh. It is located across the street from NC State's campus and next to Cup a Joe Coffee Shop, one of Raleigh's best coffee shops. 

Offering a great selection of new and used books, friendly staff, and a cozy atmosphere, many people love coming here to find something new to read and choose from used records, CDs, and DVDs. 

This bookstore even has a podcast called The Nice Price, where employees talk about new and reissued records at the store while playing songs from the records discussed. 

6. Dog-Eared Books 

Location: 4027 Atlantic Ave, Raleigh, NC 27604 

Hours: Closed Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday 

Dog-Eared Books on Atlantic Avenue is a locally owned and independent bookseller that is open every weekend. Considered a hidden gem, this bargain bookstore is found in a cozy warehouse space and sells gently used books at affordable prices. 

Most books in the store are only $2, making this the perfect spot to buy books for yourself or your family without spending too much money. This bookstore is committed to spreading the love of reading throughout the community by providing in-store shopping and pickup. 

7. Mr. Mike's Used Books 

Location: 6440 Tryon Rd, Cary, NC 27518 

Hours: 10 AM To 9 PM Monday through Saturday, 12 PM to 6 PM Sunday 

Mr. Mike's Used Books in Cary is a great spot to find gently used books for a reasonable price. Located in the Wellington Park Shopping Center near a cafe and boba tea shop, this is one of the best bookstores in the Triangle for its wide selection and affordable prices. 

Renowned for its excellent selection and attentive service, this bookstore is generally clean and quiet. All the books are well organized, and any new arrivals are located on the bookshelf near the front. 

Since Mr. Mike's Used Books is also a book buyer, appointments can be made over the phone or at the front desk if you have more than two boxes of books that you are looking to sell. If you only have a small bag of books, they can be looked at any time. 

8. Ultimate Comics Raleigh 

Location: 4325 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612 

Hours: 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday, 12 PM to 7 PM Sunday 

Ultimate Comics has three locations in Raleigh: one on Glenwood Avenue, one on Capital Boulevard, and one on Buck Jones Road. The Glenwood Avenue location is located inside Crabtree Valley Mall. 

This popular comic store is a friendly neighborhood comic shop that provides a large selection of comics and excellent customer service. Not only do Ultimate Comics sell the best comics, but they also buy comics, premium toys, figures, and statues. 

Ultimate Comics features events throughout the year, including comic signings, so make sure to check online for future happenings at the store so that you can plan your visit. 

9. Beow's Books and Brews 

Location: 8111 Creedmoor Rd Suite 153, Raleigh, NC 27613 

Hours: 7 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to 10 PM Friday through Saturday, and closed Sunday 

Beow's Books and Brews in Brennan Station is a great spot to gather with friends and family to hang out, catch up, and talk about books. A new haven for bookworms in Raleigh, this bookstore provides great books and a selection of beer, wine, coffee, and food. 

After a long week, there is no better place to curl up with a good book and enjoy a nice beverage than at Beow's Books and Brews. Featuring multiple events throughout the year, including live music and kid's book readings, this is more than just a bookstore but rather a spot for community gatherings. 

If you are interested in hosting an event on your own, from a book club to a work event at Beow's Books and Brews, reservations can be made online in advance. Make sure to visit this bookstore whether you are moving to one of the best neighborhoods in Raleigh or are just visiting the area. 

10. Barnes and Noble 

Location: 1311 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511 

Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 7 PM Sunday 

Barnes and Noble is the biggest bookstore chain in the country, so it is no surprise that it has made our list of the best bookstores in Raleigh. With up to four locations in the city alone and multiple other locations scattered throughout the Triangle area, Barnes and Noble is a classic location for new reads, music, and gifts. 

From adult fiction to cookbooks, Barnes and Noble offers a wide selection of book genres, and most locations also offer a B&N Cafe where visitors can purchase coffee, drinks, and food. 

The Barnes and Noble location in Cary off of Kildaire Farm Road features a new layout and cafe. Featuring a very modern design, all of the books are well-organized, and multiple working locations and seating areas are scattered throughout the store. 

There are multiple events happening throughout the year, including storytimes for young children and book clubs for different types of book genres, from romance to thrillers, that all are welcome to join. Most book club meetings occur monthly; more information can be found online or in-store. 

Methodology 

We used data and information from Barnes and Noble, Redbud Writing Project, and many other local sources to determine the best bookstores in Raleigh.

FAQs 

What is the largest bookstore chain in the US? 

The largest bookstore chain in the United States is Barnes and Noble, which has over 600 retail stores across all 50 states. There are four locations in Raleigh and a total of 23 in the state of North Carolina. 

Who owns So and So books? 

The owner of So and So Books is Chris Tonelli, who is also an editor and in charge of public relations at North Carolina State University.

What is the largest used bookstore in the US? 

The largest used bookstore chain in the United States is Powell's City of Books, home to approximately one million books and located in Downtown Portland, Oregon. 

Best Bookstores in Raleigh - Final Thoughts 

Whether you are looking for new or gently used books at a discounted price, there are many great bookstores in Raleigh to check out for your next read. While it can be easy to buy a book off of Amazon or another online retailer, there is something exciting about visiting a local bookseller and supporting a local business. 

If you are moving to Raleigh, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty to find your dream home. We are here to help and answer any questions about the home buying process and the Raleigh area.